It fostered the piety of Jerome, matured the labours of Augustine, That which Scipio praised, that which Alfred practised, Which fired Demosthenes to eloquence, and fed the mind of Milton, Which quickened zeal, nurtured genius, found out the secret things of science, Helped repentance, shamed folly, and comforted the good with peace, By all men just and wise, by all things pure and perfect, How truly, Solitude, art thou the fostering nurse of greatness! Enough; the theme is vast; sear me these necks of Hydra: There are pompous talkers, solemn, oracular, and dull: Track them from society to solitude; and there ye find them fools. For thee; seek thou Solitude, but neither in excess, nor morosely; Many kindling seeds of good will sprout within thy soul; Thou shalt weep in Solitude,-thou shalt pray in Solitude, Thou shalt sing for joy of heart, and praise the grace of Solitude. God make thee prosper on the way: I leave thee well with Solitude. THE END. EVERY beginning is shrouded in a mist, those vague ideas beyond, Then as he gropeth in the darkness, light is attendant on his steps, Confident and sanguine of success, he goeth forth conquering and to conquer. Every middle is burdened with a weariness,—to have to go as far again,— Then, is need of moral might, to wrestle with the animal reaction. Every end is happiness, the glorious consummation of design, While the labour lasted, while the race was running, Many times the sinews ached, and half refused the struggle; But now, all is quietness, a pleasant hour given to repose; Calmness in the retrospect of good, and calmness in the prospect of a blessing. Hope was glad in the beginning, and fear was sad midway, But sweet fruition cometh in the end, a harvest safe and sure. That which is, can never not have been: facts are solid as the pyramids : Uncertainty no more can scare, the proof is seen complete, Thus the end shall crown the work, with grace, grace, unto the topstone, builder. I have written, as other some of old, in quaint and meaning phrase, That which is true, how should it be new? for time is old in years: Nevertheless, I have spoken at my best, according to the mercies given me, Of high, and deep, and famous things, of Evil, or of Good. (25) I have told of Errors near akin to Truth, and wholesomes linked with poison; Of subtle Uses in the humblest, and the deep-laid plots of Pride: I have praised Wisdom, comforted thy Hope, and proved to thee the folly of complainings; Hinted at the hazard of an influence, and turned thee from the terrors of Ambition. 11 I have shown thee thy captivity to Law; yet bade thee hide Humilities; Experience had his sober hour; and Character its keen appreciation; I taught thee that nothing is a Trifle, even to the laugh of Recreation : Triune. Thought confessed his unseen fears; and Speech declared his triumphs; Inventions took their lower place, for all things come of God. I scorned Ridicule; nor would humble me for Praise; for I had gained Self-knowledge; And pleaded fervently for Brutes, who suffer for man's sin. Then, I rose to Friendship; and bathed in all the tenderness of Love; Knew the purity of Marriage: and blessed the face of Children. And whereas by petulance or pride, I had haply said some evil, Mine after-thought was Tolerance, to bear the faults of all: Thus, for a while, as leaving thee in joy, was I loth to break that spell; I roamed to other things and thoughts, and fashioned other books. But in a season of reflection, after many days, A thought stood before me in its garment of the past,—and lo, a legion with it! They came in thronging bands,—I could not fight nor fly them,— Then, I bade thee greet me well, and heed my cheerful counsels; And dated all her praise from God, the birthday of the soul. But this was as the nauseous dregs of that inspiring cup: And then I left thee to thy Solitude, learning there of Wisdom. Friend and scholar, lover of the right, mine equal kind companion, I prize indeed thy favour, and these sympathies are dear: Still, if thy heart be little with me, wot thou well, my brother, I canvass not the smile of praise, nor dread the frowns of censure. Through many themes in many thoughts. have we held sweet converse; But God alone be praised for minu unly is sufficient. And every thought in every theme by prayer had been established: Who then should fear the face of man, when God hath answered prayer? I speak it not in arrogance of heart, but humbly, as of justice, I think it not in vanity of soul, but tenderly, for gratitude,— God hath blessed my mind, and taught it many truths; And I have echoed some to thee, in weakness, yet sincerely: Yea, though ignorance and error shall have marred those lessons of His teaching, I stand in mine own Master's praise, or fall to His reproof. If thou lovest, help me with thy blessing; if otherwise, mine shall be for thee; If thou approvest, heed my words: if otherwise, in kindness be my teacher Many mingled thoughts for self have warped my better aim, Many motives tempted still, to toil for pride or praise : Alas, I have loved pride and praise, like others worse or worthier; But hate and fear them now, as snakes that fasten on my hand : Scævola burnt both hand and crime: but Paul flung the viper on the fire: |